Power cord arranging device

ABSTRACT

An exemplary embodiment of a power cord arranging device for equipment using a power cord comprises a grip unit for grasping a power cord, and a handle rotatably connected to the grip unit. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can safely and conveniently arrange the power cord with minimal contact with the cord, thus eliminating contact with impurities on the cord and friction burns from the cord.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-30615, filed Apr. 13, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This application discloses subject matter that may be related to the subject matter disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______ (116511-00174), claiming priority of Korean Patent Application 2005-29814, filed Apr. 11, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of equipment powered by a power cord. In more specific exemplary embodiments, a power cord arranging device is disclosed that is particularly useful, for example, in vacuum cleaners.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, vacuum cleaners can be divided into the categories of canister-type and upright-type cleaners.

The canister-type vacuum cleaner comprises a cord reel assembly for stowing a power cord as being wound thereon inside a cleaner body. However, since the upright-type vacuum cleaner requires a relatively longer power cord, the upright-type vacuum cleaner uses a cord holder, instead of a cord reel assembly. The power cord is wound around the cord holder on the outside of the cleaner body.

In this case, a user must manually grasp and wind the power cord on the cord holder. During this operation, however, the power cord is dragged on the surface being cleaned, thereby being contaminated by impurities and dust. As a result, the user's hand may also be contaminated while grasping and winding the power cord. Furthermore, when the user winds the power cord hastily with the power cord in his/her hand, frictional heat generated between the power cord and the user's hand may hurt the user's hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the following summary and the detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Neither the summary nor the description that follows is intended to define or limit the scope of the invention to the particular features mentioned in the summary or in the description.

In an exemplary embodiment, a power cord arranging device enables a user to safely arrange a power cord on a cord holder without concern about being contaminated by impurities or hurt by frictional heat.

The invention will be disclosed in terms of several exemplary embodiments, which will be described in terms of application to a vacuum cleaner, which is one useful application of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the devices disclosed herein may also be useful with many other appliances where a cord is to be stored. The present invention is therefore not intended to be limited to the field of vacuum cleaners, but can be applied to any kind of appliance or other equipment that uses a power cord.

In some embodiments, a power cord arranging device includes a grip unit for grasping a power cord, and a handle connected to the grip unit.

In an embodiment, the grip unit comprises an operation lever; a lever housing pivotally supporting the operation lever; first and second roller assemblies mounted to the operation lever and the lever housing, respectively, to face each other; and a resilient member interposed between the operation lever and the lever housing to bias the first and the second roller assemblies into contact with each other.

In some embodiments, the first roller assembly comprises a first roller guide integrally formed with an end of the operation lever and a first roller member rotatably mounted in the first roller guide. The second roller assembly comprises a second roller guide integrally formed with an end of the operation lever and a second roller member rotatably mounted in the second roller guide.

In certain embodiments, the operation lever has a hinge projection, whereas the lever housing has a hinge receiving part for insertion of the hinge projection. The operation lever is pivotably connected to the lever housing.

In an embodiment, the operation lever and the lever housing respectively have first and second seating projections on positions facing each other to mount the resilient member.

In an embodiment, the lever housing includes a connection part integrally formed therewith and connected with the handle.

In some embodiments, the connection part has at least one escape prevention rib for preventing separation of the handle on an outer circumference thereof.

In certain embodiments, the handle comprises upper and lower handle members engaged with the connection part in a vertical manner and including a rib groove for receiving the escape prevention rib.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a power cord arranging device for a vacuum cleaner, comprising an operation lever including a first roller assembly for gripping a power cord at one end thereof; a lever housing pivotably mounting the operation lever and including at one end thereof a second roller assembly for gripping the power cord together with the first roller assembly; a resilient member interposed between the operation lever and the lever housing to bias the first and the second roller assemblies into contact with each other; and a handle connected to the lever housing to be rotatable forward and backward.

In these exemplary embodiments, the user can safely and conveniently arrange the power cord C without concerning about being contaminated by impurities and hurt by frictional heat to his/her hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, further serve to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use these embodiments and others that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power cord arranging device for a vacuum cleaner, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the operation processes of the power cord arranging device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

An improved cord handling device and features thereof will now be disclosed in terms of various exemplary embodiments. This specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate features of the invention. The embodiment(s) described, and references in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, persons skilled in the art may effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

In the following description, similar drawing reference numerals may be used for the same elements even in different drawings. The embodiments described, and their detailed construction and elements, are merely provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can be carried out in a variety of ways, and does not require any of the specific features described herein. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the exemplary features described with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power cord arranging device according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the power cord arranging device in this embodiment comprises a grip unit 100 and a handle 200.

The grip unit 100 comprises an operation lever 110, a lever housing 120 and a grip tool 130. Additionally, a resilient member 140 is provided between the operation lever 110 and the lever housing 120 facing each other.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view showing the above-structured power cord arranging device in greater detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation lever 110 includes a hinge projection 111 and a first seating projection 114.

The operation lever 110 can be pivotably connected to the lever housing 120 using the hinge projection 111. A pair of the hinge projections 111 are formed on both sides of the operation lever 110.

The first seating projection 114 protrudes toward the lever housing 120 to be inserted in one end of the resilient member 140.

The lever housing 120 comprises a hinge receiving part 121, a second seating projection 124 and a connection part 125.

The hinge receiving part 121 is engaged with the hinge projection 111, so that the operation lever 110 pivots on the hinge receiving part 121.

The second seating projection 124 is protruded toward the operation lever 110 to be inserted in the other end of the resilient member 140.

The connection part 125 is rotatably connected with a handle 200 and integrally formed with the lever housing 120. On an outer circumference of the connection part 125, an escape prevention rib 126 is formed to prevent the handle 200 connected with the connection part 125 from being separated. Although this embodiment employs three escape prevention ribs 126, the present invention does not require escape prevention ribs, or any particular number of ribs.

The grip tool 130 comprises first and second roller assemblies 131 and 132.

The first roller assembly 131 comprises a first roller guide 112 and a first roller member 113.

The first roller guide 112 is formed integrally with an end of the operation lever 110, and the first roller member 113 is rotatably mounted in the first roller guide 112. The first roller member 113 includes a circumferential groove having a width corresponding to a diameter of a power cord.

The second roller assembly 132 comprises a second roller guide 122 and a second roller member 123 and directs the first roller assembly 131. Constructions of the second roller guide 122 and the second roller member 123 are the same as those of the first roller guide 112 and the first roller member 113.

The handle 200 comprises an upper handle member 210 and a lower handle member 220 which are vertically connected by a screw S to the connection part 125 and to each other. In the embodiment shown, the upper and the lower handle members 210 and 220 respectively include at least one rib groove 226 for receiving the escape prevention rib 126. The number of the rib grooves 226 typically corresponds to that of the escape prevention ribs 126.

Hereinafter, an example of operation of a power cord arranging device for a vacuum cleaner will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4.

When not in use, the power cord arranging device according to an exemplary embodiment is stowed in a predetermined storage space formed in a main body of an upright-type vacuum cleaner. To use the vacuum cleaner, the user draws out the power cord C being wound on the outside of the vacuum cleaner and after the cleaning work, winds the power cord C back on the cleaner body using a power cord arranging device of the type disclosed herein.

As shown in FIG. 3, as the user grasps the handle 200 and presses a portion ‘A’ of the operation lever 110 with a thumb in an arrowed direction, the operation lever 110 is pivoted, thereby widening the gap between the first and the second roller assemblies 131 and 132. The user interposes the power cord in the widened gap between the first and the second roller assemblies 131 and 132 and releases the thumb pressing the portion ‘A’, so that the first and the second roller assemblies 131 and 132 grip the power cord C as shown in FIG. 4.

In this state, therefore, the user is able to wind the power cord C on the cord holder formed on the upright-type vacuum cleaner by holding the handle 200. Here, the power cord arranging device can smoothly move along an outer circumference of the power cord C, assisted by the rotatable first and second roller assemblies 131 and 132 having a circumferential groove corresponding to the outer circumference of the power cord C.

Using the power cord arranging device according to an exemplary embodiment, when the user winds the power cord C, the power cord C is guided by the first and the second roller assemblies 131 and 132 without direct contact with the user's hand. Therefore, impurities attached to the power cord C are prevented from contaminating the user's hand. Also, although the user may rapidly wind the power cord C, the user's hand are protected from frictional heat which is generated between the power cord C and the user's hand in the conventional method.

As can be appreciated from the above description, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can safely and conveniently arrange the power cord C without concerning about being contaminated by impurities and hurt by frictional heat.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A power cord arranging device for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a grip unit for grasping a power cord of the vacuum cleaner; and a handle connected to the grip unit.
 2. The power cord arranging device of claim 1, wherein the grip unit comprises: an operation lever; a lever housing pivotably supporting the operation lever; first and second roller assemblies mounted to the operation lever and the lever housing, respectively, to face each other; and a resilient member interposed between the operation lever and the lever housing to biasingly keep the first and the second roller assemblies in contact with each other.
 3. The power cord arranging device of claim 2, wherein the first roller assembly comprises a first roller guide integrally formed with an end of the operation lever and a first roller member rotatably mounted in the first roller guide.
 4. The power cord arranging device of claim 2, wherein the second roller assembly comprises a second roller guide integrally formed with an end of the operation lever and a second roller member rotatably mounted in the second roller guide.
 5. The power cord arranging device of claim 2, wherein the operation lever has a hinge projection, whereas the lever housing has a hinge receiving part for insertion of the hinge projection.
 6. The power cord arranging device of claim 2, wherein the operation lever and the lever housing respectively have first and second seating projections on positions facing each other to mount the resilient member.
 7. The power cord arranging device of claim 2, wherein the lever housing includes a connection part integrally formed therewith and connected with the handle.
 8. The power cord arranging device of claim 7, wherein the connection part has at least one escape prevention rib for preventing separation of the handle on an outer circumference thereof.
 9. The power cord arranging device of claim 7, wherein the handle comprises upper and lower handle members engaged with the connection part in a vertical manner and including a rib groove for receiving the escape prevention rib.
 10. The power cord arranging device of claim 1, wherein the handle is rotatably mounted to the grip unit.
 11. A power cord arranging device for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: an operation lever including a first roller assembly for gripping a power cord at one end thereof; a lever housing pivotably mounting the operation lever and including at one end thereof a second roller assembly for gripping the power cord together with the first roller assembly; a resilient member interposed between the operation lever and the lever housing to biasingly keep the first and the second roller assemblies in contact with each other; and a handle connected to the lever housing to be rotatable forward and backward.
 12. A power cord arranging device for equipment having a power cord, comprising: an operation lever including a first roller assembly for gripping a power cord at one end thereof; a lever housing pivotably mounting the operation lever and including at one end thereof a second roller assembly for gripping the power cord together with the first roller assembly; a resilient member interposed between the operation lever and the lever housing to biasingly keep the first and the second roller assemblies in contact with each other; and a handle connected to the lever housing to be rotatable forward and backward. 